20160711 Saturday, July 11 2016
Romans 12: Vengeance Is Mine; I Will Repay, Saith The LORD

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the LORD"

A common definition of "vengeance" today is "The act of taking revenge; harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done." As such, humans typically seek "revenge" on a purely emotional level i.e. anger and grief. All too often, in the carnal world of now, it's simply a matter of "might makes right" - whether it's truly right or not e.g. some think that it's right to commit murder in response to a murder. But murder is murder, regardless of the who or why.

The English-language words "avenge," "revenge," "vengeance" and "vindicate" all originated from a single Latin word, vindicare, that ultimately meant to prove what, or who, is right. Those words are used to translate the Hebrew word of the Holy Scriptures, pronounced naw-kawm, which has an identical meaning - a powerful force to prove right. It isn't simply a matter of causing harm in return for being harmed.

The LORD (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour), while also using the principle of "might makes right," is always right. The LORD's well-known "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the LORD" isn't merely about manifest anger; it's about revealing Truth, and those of the Truth, in a way that cannot be denied - along with the Justice that awaits the innocent and the guilty. In the mean time, the LORD's people need only stand clear of those to whom the LORD's wrath will be delivered.

"12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:1-8 KJV)

Notice carefully that, when it comes to vengeance, the LORD's people need only to do right in their own law-abiding, peaceful lives. "Love your enemy" includes awaiting what's coming to him: "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

"12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-21 KJV)

Fact Finder: Why does the LORD give people the freedom to do good or evil?
See Let Both Grow Together Until The Harvest